THE SLOTH

Every drop of rain that falls makes this forest even more special, but one day the drops will hit the ground directly and stop passing through this forest. Being able to appreciate the magnitude of this forest in person is a magical feeling. The trees almost touch the limit of the sky, covering every bit of this forest, taking advantage of every ray of light. The animals roam around the different levels of the forest, some close to the ground, others in the middle of the forest and the rest at the treetop level. All space is widely used and competition for every corner is fierce. In this forest, biodiversity reigns supreme, and it is not surprising the number of endemic species that we can find there. It is often considered more biodiverse than the Amazon forest. But what biome is this?

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The Atlantic Forest must be appreciated in all its splendor. She is both immensely beautiful and extremely dangerous, creating an unparalleled combination. Exploring a place like this is the dream of any biologist or photographer. Witnessing this nature and being able to portray it was a huge challenge that I wanted to embrace tooth and nail. But it wasn't the beauty, the colors, the greens, the rain, the heat, the humidity, the animals, the plants or the sun shining from 5 to 5 that gave rise to this project. The root of this project is deeper and scarier, and we should all be concerned.

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In the lush and diverse Atlantic Forest, one of the most emblematic inhabitants is the common sloth (Bradypus variegatus). With its calm appearance and slow movements, this arboreal mammal captivates photographers looking to capture the unique essence of this ecosystem. Equipped with a coat that varies from shades of gray to brown, the sloth displays irregular spots on its coat, giving it a unique beauty. They spend most of their lives in the treetops. Their serene behavior and deliberately slow movements are adaptive, allowing them to save energy and remain camouflaged among tree leaves. This unique feature provides unique opportunities for photographers to capture intimate and intriguing moments. Whether they are resting on a high branch, feeding on succulent leaves or even showing off their relaxed expressions, each image tells the story of an animal adapted to a tranquil lifestyle in an environment rich in biodiversity.

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Capturing these precious moments requires patience and respect for wildlife. The presence of the common sloth in the Atlantic Forest highlights the need to conserve this ecosystem. As the Atlantic Forest faces increasing threats, from habitat loss to climate change, images of these adorable sloths serve as visually striking reminders of the importance of protecting and preserving this biological treasure.

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This project is sponsored by ONWILD, a photo tour and photography tutorial company, where you can also find fine-art prints and other products.